UPA to bring women's reservation Bill in LS

Though the exit of the DMK from the UPA has put the ruling coalition on thin ice in Parliament, the Congress might try to get the women’s reservation bill passed by the Lok Sabha — a move that might provoke its allies to put out the lifeline to the government.

“We will bring women’s reservation bill in the Lok Sabha in the second part of the Session. It is our party’s commitment to give 33 per cent reservation to women, both in Parliament and state assembly,” party spokesperson Rashid Alvi said here on Monday.

The Congress is firming up to bring the controversial bill in the Lok Sabha for its passage, despite opposition from its outside supporters the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal.

The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in March 2010 after two days of high voltage drama in the Upper House which also witnessed suspension of seven members for violently disrupting the proceedings.

Both, the SP and RJD had then threatened to withdraw their support but the government managed to get it passed from the Upper House with unequivocal support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left parties.